Thalia
I woke up with the sun streaming through the open window and the sounds of the street filling my ears. I let out a yawn and stretched my stiff limbs before rolling over to grab my watch. Seven o'clock. I let out a sigh pulled myself out of bed.

It may seem odd for a twenty-three year old to actually enjoy waking up at such an early time, but that was something else I had grown accustomed to since moving here. Rome was truly an unbelievable place.

I stumbled into the kitchen to put on a pot for tea. That was something I had missed. The coffee here was to die for but some days I just needed a nice cup of hot tea. Today was one of those days.

It was June 20th. The one year anniversary of that horrible day. I tired to push away the memories that had come flooding back as I poured my cup of tea.

A year ago today Harry and I had broken up. One whole year.

I let out a huff as I leaned against the balcony door. The hot Italian sun warmed my skin as a gentle breeze blew trough the house. I had moved to Italy last September to continue my art studies. As much as I denied it, I had really taken a liking to painting. I had been invited down to Italy in somewhat of an apprenticeship. It was an easy decision for me, but not for Harry.

"Thalia?" I turned to see my roommate Francesco frowning at me. "What are you doing up?"

"Morning!" I smiled. Lately turning off my feelings had become as easy as flicking a switch.

He grabbed an apple before joining me in the threshold. "When is your friend coming again?"

"Maeve? She'll be here at 2. I have to go pick her up from the airport." The thought of my best friend coming to visit instantly put me in a better mood.

"And we're taking her out tonight right?" Francesco broke into an elated smile. He loved partying. And he loved showing off his home city.

Francesco was a historian. At six foot he towered over me, though he hardly seemed threatening with his impeccable style. He had short jet black Italian hair and a scruffy beard. I had met him on my first night here and moved in with him and his friend Gina a week later.

"Of course we're taking her out!" I laughed. "She's been looking forward to this for a month!"

"Fantacimo!" He cried out in his thick accent. "I have to go before I'm late. I will see you and your friend later. Ciao Bella!"

"Ciao ciao!" I called as he slipped out the door. I had purposefully taken today off so I could get ready for Maeve's visit.

I quickly changed into a dress and sandals before throwing my hair into a bun. July and August were Italy's hottest months. Most locals left the city in the summer to escape the heat and flocks of tourists. Gina and I had escaped every weekend by visiting the beach.

I flew down the three flights of stairs and headed out onto the bustling street. The hustle and bustle of the Rome was similar to that of London's so I hardly noticed the honking cars and reckless driving.

Today was Thursday. And if I hurried I would be able to sketch at the pantheon before it got too crowded. I ran to catch the tram, narrowly made it through the doors and ended up next to a smelly old man. I held my breath for the remainder of the ride. London's tube may be more crowded then the tram but at least people showered. After a ten minute tram ride I jumped out an made my way to the pantheon, dodging tourists as I walked to my favorite spot.

It wasn’t too crowded as I sat down on the steps of the fountain situated in the middle of the Piazza. I held my hand over my eyes as I looked up at the impressive monument. I couldn’t get over the fact that this building had been here for 2,000 years, hiding in the middle of these winding Roman streets. I pulled out my sketchbook as a violinist began playing across the Piazza. I could spend hours here.

"Thalia?"

I looked up from my drawing and froze. This could not be happening. Josh and a few of 1Ds other band mates were standing in front of me.

"Oh shit! It is you!" Josh laughed. "How the fuck have you been?"

“Good.” I gave him a smile, though it had felt like I had just been punched in the gut. How on earth did he find me here? “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing!” He took a seat next to me and looked up at the Pantheon. “We’re on tour. We’ll be here for a few days. How long have you been here?"

"Since last September...so nearly a year now," I smiled. It was still crazy to think that I had been here that long.

"Well shit you're practically a local!" Cried Josh. "Hey do you know where the Trevi Fountain is? We've been looking for ages."

I let out a laugh at his frustration. I looked down at my half finished sketch. I could finish it later and the boys would never find it based on directions. Besides I kinda wanted to know from an insider how Harry was doing.

"I can take you if you like?" I offered. Their faces lit up. I stood and brushed the dirt from my clothes. So where are the others? Did you ditch em?"

"Yeah. They're at the colosseum," Josh answered. I began leading them down one of the side streets, twisting and turning through the maze of buildings.

"The colesseo is pretty cool," I agreed. "So how is everyone? How's it going?"

"They're holding up," Josh answered hesitantly. I paused to shoot him a confused look and he added, "there's been a lot of changes lately. Your dad left. Then Zayn. Louis and El broke up...it's been a lot."

"But everyone's handling it okay right?" I had been following the guys via Internet and news articles. How could I not? Zayn's decision had been international news within seconds. I had spoken to him twice since, but he and Niall were the only ones I had contact with.

"Considering what happened yeah," he shrugged. "But it was definitely a blow...but what are you doing here in Italy? Still studying?"

Dang, they really were keeping this thing under wraps. I put on a smile at his change of subject, "I'm...well I guess you could call it an apprenticeship."

"For drawing?"

"Drawing and painting," I replied. "I actually just had a show about a week ago. I've been invited to paint at one of the villas in Tuscany. I'll be heading out next week."

"That's insane!" He beamed. I began giving them a tour of the city as I lead them through the winding streets of Rome. I had easily adopted the city and now considered it my home away from home.

"Say, what are you doing tonight?" Josh asked after we reached one of the main streets.

"Mae's coming to visit. I should actually head to the airport soon to pick her up."

"Mae! Holy fuck! Well hey if you two want to party tonight we'll be by the Spanish steps. I heard there's a good club there."

"Gilda?" I laughed. "Gilda's sweet but you can only go after 2am otherwise it's just a bunch of old men."

"Yeah I'm not really looking for anyone in that crowd...where are you headed tonight."

"We'll either be in the Trastevere or Testaccio neighborhood," I replied, knowing full well he wouldn't have any idea where those places were.

"Well we should try to meet up! I haven't partied with you in ages!"

"Definitely!" Lie. That was a lie. If he was going out tonight that meant there was a good chance the rest of them were too. I couldn't handle seeing Harry. I know I couldn't.

I bid Josh and the rest of the band goodbye before plugging in my headphones and heading the other direction. I needed to get to the airport to pick up Maeve. And get the terrifying, yet exiting, idea of seeing Harry put of my head.

-

"THUMPER!" Cried Maeve as she stepped through the sliding glass doors of the airport. She practically tackled me in a hug and nearly caused us to topple over. "How have you been? How's life? Did your show go well?"

"I've finally been able to relax a bit now that the shows over," I replied, picking up Mae's bag as we slowly started walking to the train. I couldn’t help but stare at her. I couldn’t believe she was actually here. Other than the fact that her flaming red hair had been replaced with a soft violet, she was the same old Maeve I had grown up with.

When I was four years old my mother separated from my father, Paul Higgins. We moved in with my mom’s sister, my Aunt Lucy, only to find that she was housing two girls, both around my age. Maeve and Elaine. When I was 13 a new little girl had joined us, Mackenzie. The four of us had become as close as sisters over the years, though Maeve and I had grown particularly close. Aunt Lucy also had several other foster kids she looked after, bringing the total to a whopping twelve children in one small home.

Nearly two years ago my father and I had reconnected and before I knew it I had been thrown into his world of celebrities and drama. Into a world that revolved around Harry Styles. But reminiscing about that year brought back too many painful memories. So rather than dwell on the past I had chosen to lock that year and all it’s emotions deep inside my soul, determined not to let it effect me.

"It went really well, did I tell you I was invited to paint a Tuscan Villa?" I asked, forcing myself back into the conversation.

"What! No!" Cried Maeve, looking slightly offended.

"It's ginormous. It's a beautiful Italian Villa overlooking the sea. It belongs in a movie...you'd love it."

"I'm sure I will. Whose place is it? Just some random guy?"

"Well actually...you know that guy I've been seeing?"

"The hot Italian?” She wiggled her eyebrows before falling onto a seat in the train.

“Yes. Marco the hot Italian,” I said whole rolling my eyes. “Well turns out this mansion is actually his dad’s place…”

Maeve’s jaw dropped as she stared at me. I couldn’t help but laugh, it wasn’t often that Maeve was speechless.

“You’re going to say at the hot Italian’s house for a whole fucking month? Thalia…”

“I know… I know… it’s a big step but—”

“Step? More like leap of faith! How long have you known this guy for again?”

“Nearly six months. We met last year remember?”

“Oh yeah! He was the one who wouldn’t give up! He asked you out like what…five times before you said yes?”

“Three.”

“And now he’s invited you to stay at his countryside villa for a month?” Maeve mused. Half a second later I felt her take my hand, interlacing our fingers. “Thalia babe, are you sure you’re ready for this? I mean after Harry…”

“I think it will be good for me,” I smiled, desperately trying not to let the mention of his name effect me. “Besides it’s not like I can really say no. They’ve paying me to paint a fucking mansion.”

Maeve burst into a fit of giggles and I quickly followed. Growing up with a lot of…well I guess you would call them siblings meant we hardly had a dime to spend on ourselves. This time in Italy studying under a master and being hired to paint Villas still seemed unreal.

“I’m proud of you Thal,” Maeve said after a minute. “I know how hard that was for you after Harry…but I’m proud of you.”

I gave her a small smile before gently leaning my head on her shoulder. We sat in silence for a while just taking in each other’s company. I had missed this girl more than I had realized.

“Oh hey speaking of You Know Who,” I said quietly. “They’re here…”

“Wait. What do you mean they’re here?” Maeve frowned, keeping her voice to a whisper. “Like here, here? In Rome?”

“Yeah. I ran into Josh earlier today if you’ll believe me.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“Well it’s true. He said the guys were touring the Colosseum…thank god.” I leant back across the seat remembering the close encounter. Maeve looked at me sympathetically before squeezing my hand gently. I forgot she had been holding it.

“But you haven’t heart from You Know Who himself right?”

I shook my head. Thank goodness I hadn’t heard from Harry. I knew it had been a whole year, but I don’t think I couldn’t handle meeting face to face with him for at least another two.

“Josh wanted to party with us though,” I recalled with a frown. Maeve mimicked the frown and shook her head. “Don’t worry. My roommate Francesco called dibs of you tonight.”

“As long as I have my best friend…I’ll be happy with anything.” I raised an eyebrow at her cheesy line and she unwillingly broke into a smile.

The train chimed as we pulled into a stop and I quickly jumped up. As we stepped out of the train Maeve nudged me once more. "Hey...for real though. Don't worry about Harry. I won't let him ruin another one of our nights."

I let out a laugh. "I'm not worried. Rome is a huge city. Besides...what's the worse that could happen?"

Notes

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